Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Chapter 32

"Well that went well," Nico said sarcastically.

"I thought so too," Thalia added in.

The other cousin remained silent, kicking some rubble that was blocking his way. His hands were in his pockets and he looked grim as if he had been told the worst news he had ever heard... Which technically he had.

"I thought he would know," Percy eventually said, speaking quietly, as he stared up at the setting sun. Then- after seeing his cousin's confused expressions; he added in, "that my mom died."

"Yeah well." Thalia said, trying to make her cousin feel better. "Just forget about him. At least he's better than..."

He didn't react. There was a stone cold feeling inside of him, as if a ghost or demon was living inside of him. Goosebumps rippled through his paling skin. "I don't know."

Thalia paused her fast walking pace towards her destination. She looked shocked. "How can you say that?"

"He can actually say whatever he wants; it's a free country..." Nico pointed out, but trailed off after seeing Thalia's stare. "Which includes me having the right to talk right now..."

The daughter of Zeus couldn't help but let a smile grace her features. She turned back to her other cousin who was staring off into space like a zombie. "You okay?"

A stiff head nod was all she got for a reply. She didn't talk for a while, just walked around the huge garden with her two cousins, thinking about random things. Even though it seemed more like she was thinking about what she could say to Percy to attempt and cheer him up.

"I hate it when you're all depressed like that Perce, you're making me depressed," Nico finally spoke, breaking the silence. He had a frown on his face, and even though the words were supposed to make his cousin 'feel better,' the frown seemed genuine.

"I thought it was a free country?" Percy eventually responded, a ghost of a smile on his face. "I'm fine."

Thalia snorted. "Sure you are."

Another silence. More comfortable than the other one, but still rather awkward.

"What happened to the cheery guy-" Thalia started, but was cut off.

"He died," Percy interrupted bluntly.

"He's still in there."

"Yeah, maybe after the court case."

Nico was the only one not currently talking. He was hungry for one. The only good thing about the family reunion was the food. Hestia and Demeter are the awesomest at cooking, he thought to himself. But food wasn't the only thing on his mind. He knew his cousin wasn't dead mentally or physically. Maybe he was hungry too...

"Its dinnertime," Nico announced after checking his watch. "Food..."

"I hope Hestia is cooking, Zeus would use his electric burner to try and toast some bread," Thalia commented.

As Percy was running back with his cousins, he couldn't help but think that he was safe. No more abuse to worry about. No more Gabe. Just him and his cousins in the huge mansion.

Before the cousins arrive:

"You messed up big time," Hermes spoke up.

Poseidon was having a downcast expression on his face, and didn't reply, knowing he actually did 'mess up big time.' He made a mistake, and even Athena didn't gloat about it. Nobody did.

"Hestia," Demeter called out, snapping out of her 'cereal phase.' "We need to cook remember?"

"Oh," Hestia responded shortly. She smiled, "I'll be right there, just wait."

Demeter nodded, going into the kitchen, while preparing all the ingredients and getting ready.

"I'll try to see if I can hunt something," Artemis piped in.

"Artemis, this is home. This isn't survival of the fittest. Although if you can find some meat that would be nice..." Apollo commented, flashing a bright smile at his sibling.

"Alright then," Artemis responded, slightly annoyed. "I'll see what I can find."

"See thou later, farewell!" Apollo waved his hand as he spoke, teasingly, while Artemis scowled slightly, going out the door with a bow and quiver on her back. He shook his head. "What happened to her sense of humor?"

"What happened to you?" Ares answered rudely.

"What have I done?" Poseidon mumbled solemnly, tears escaping from his eyes and falling on the ground. He mumbled it over and over again as if it would change the situation of his son hating him.

Hestia walked over to her brother, and hugged him tightly. "It'll be okay, don't worry brother."

"No it won't," Poseidon managed to say. "My own son hates me."

"Yes well, can't do anything about that," Zeus responded impatiently, suddenly being in the conversation as if he was there all along.

For a person that owns all and manages funerals, Hades was slightly 'kinder' than his brother was. A bitter smile was on his face. "It's your fault in a way."

"You wouldn't understand."

"I don't understand a lot of things. Zeus killing Maria. But I do understand that it was you who left Sally, leaving your son with Gabe, who eventually killed your lover, and abused Percy. Who was the root of the cause?"

It made perfect sense. Everything starts with denial.

Poseidon knew it was true. He commented on a different topic. "Zeus killed Maria?!"

Hades looked up with anger-filled eyes, mostly glaring at Zeus. "Yes he did."

Ares started to grin maliciously, expecting a fight to break out soon.

It was Hestia that stopped the 'fight' soon enough before it would break out. "Enough," she said sternly.

And that was all there was too it. Ares frowned, an ugly snarl on his face as he banged his spear on the ground. Aphrodite was calming him down, but eventually lost interest and started to apply some makeup on her already caked face.

"Hestia!" Demeter called out, aggravated at her sister, but trying to be patient.

One more look from Hestia and she left, joining her 'cereal-crazy' sister in the humongous kitchen.

"Better listen to our sister," Hera warned. She had a grim look on her face. "Although I strongly disagree with your actions Zeus. You should not have killed her."

"He doesn't regret anything Hera," Hades told her bitterly, glaring at Zeus with his soulless eyes angrily. "That's his character, he'll never change."

The leader of the Olympians stayed silent, watching it play out, but shrinking back in fear as his brother glared at him so hard, it was like black razor sharp laser beams that could kill you if you just touched it.

"That includes verbal as well," Hestia warned from the kitchen as she cut up some carrots.

Hermes snickered, as he nudged his half-brother. He gestured towards Aphrodite's makeup bag. "Replace all hand creams with the next person's dump."

Apollo laughed. "That's disgusting."

"It's genius."

They laughed together, cackling madly, as their eyes were constantly looking at the bathroom. Chuckling and giggling every time someone proceeded to give them strange looks.

Artemis came back a few seconds after the idea of the prank, carrying a huge sack with a bloody lump inside that was most likely meat. She was smiling, and her jeans were slightly scuffed with dirt. "Who's up bear meat?"

A/N: Sorry for the late update, I was busy. Not exactly the longest chapter, but next chapter will probably be the family reunion dinner. Thanks for all the support!

Velika Silvertounge: You're welcome, and thanks for not being picky about the length or anything.